Pubdate: Wed, 23 Oct 2002
Source: Times, The (LA)
Webpage: 
http://www.nwlouisiana.com/html/88292332-F59F-40E1-ABD4-50042F9A7F93.shtml
Copyright: 2002 The Times
Contact:  http://www.shreveporttimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1019
Author: Don Walker, Staff Writer
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n963/a04.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

SHREVEPORT DOCTOR PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHARGES

A popular Shreveport ear, nose and throat doctor - in a plea agreement 
reached with federal prosecutors - pleaded guilty to two drug and firearms 
charges in U.S. District Court on Tuesday.

Dr. Christopher Greer, 37, of Bossier City pleaded guilty to one count of 
prescription fraud and one count of carrying a firearm while being a user 
or addicted to a controlled substance.

Greer, faces up to 14 years in prison and fines of nearly $300,000 on the 
charges. Both prosecution and defense attorneys said the actual sentence 
will likely be far less - probably about one to two years. Federal Judge 
Tom Stagg set a Feb. 12 sentencing date. Greer remains free on bond.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Hathaway was prosecuting attorney. Greer was 
defended by Mike Small of Alexandria.

A practicing physician for the past 10 years in Shreveport, Greer was 
arrested April 20 in the parking lot of a Shreveport drug store in a case 
triggered by an anonymous call to Shreveport Police.

Their investigation was ultimately turned over to the Drug Enforcement 
Administration, which determined Greer was writing prescriptions for 
OxyContin to feed a 10 to 20 pills a day drug addiction. OxyContin is a 
narcotic painkiller. Some of the prescriptions were written in the name of 
Greer's grandmother. Others were in the names of people he paid to have the 
prescriptions filled for him.

A six-count federal indictment handed up in May accused Greer of contacting 
a friend about filling a fraudulent prescription for OxyContin. Greer 
picked up the friend and drove to Drug Emporium on East Kings Highway in 
Shreveport. On the way to the drug store, Greer filled out a prescription 
for 60 OxyContin in the friend's name.

"The prescription "was outside the usual course of professional practice 
and not for a legitimate medical purpose," according to the indictment. The 
prescription was filled and immediately handed over to Greer, who was then 
approached by agents with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. 
During Greer's arrest, DEA agents confiscated a pistol.

While awaiting trial, Greer underwent and completed voluntary drug 
addiction rehabilitation at a private facility in Rayville. In August, the 
state Board of Medical Examiners indefinitely suspended his license to 
practice medicine.

Prior to accepting Greer's plea bargain Tuesday, Stagg asked: "Tell me, is 
that your purpose here today?"

Greer: "Yes, your honor."

Then, referring to Greer's state of mind, Stagg said: "I need to ask 
whether you are clear-headed and fully informed of the charges against you?"

Greer: "Yes, your honor. Today I am clear-headed."

Stagg: "You're pleading guilty because you are, in fact, guilty as charged?"

Greer: "Yes, your honor.

Stagg: "Dr. Greer now stands convicted as charged."
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